www.perfectpointe.com (arlington)

no ringbearer? no flower girls?

This sounds just like that movie Joy Luck Club.

Doing some research on yoga in DC. So tell me fellow yogis, do you have a favorite style and why?
Hatha/Vinyasa? Iyengar? Anusara? Power? Kundalini? Restorative? Bikram? Fusion? Other?

I meant one hour a week. DH watches the kids while I Zumba, my mom when I occasionally go to a fitness/dance workshop. And I guess you could also count my pilates & yoga classes that I take on my lunch break during business hours. DH offers to watch the kids if I want to go shopping by myself, but I still often take the littlest one, as I work FT, and don't have many daytime bonding hours with her during the week. It has been a long, long time since I've had complete solitude, but I suppose that will change when the kids get older.

I have cabin fever and can't wait to get out in the water when it gets warmer. I used to kayak everywhere in CA, but don't know any good spots here with easy launch points and soft, calm waters (I have 3 kayak kids). Any suggestions?

I have been searching for Mommy & Me classes that have some ethnic flavor to it near Arlington. Found a Mommy & Me belly class in nearby Clarendon, but it's during work hours. Now I found a Indian Bollywood and Persian Dance for Tots at this Born2Dance studio. Has anyone taken tots classes here before, and are the parents involved or do we just watch?

one hour...and with a group of sweaty women getting down! I'll get two hours next month!

My son looks very Filipino, and daughter looks very European. Me, I look Latina cuz I'm a halfie. When I am with just my DD, some people have asked me if I speak English and if she's mine, and once if I'm looking for more kids to watch. But when DH is with DS, they say oh your wife must be Asian, or what is he mixed with? I wonder what people think when I take my girlfriend's half caucasian half african american baby and my euro-looking daughter to the park with me...they're probably confused...haha!

I did the huge birthday gig once and never again! I invited EVERYBODY and I had no time to enjoy with the guests or my son because I was so busy tending to everyone. I think your child will prefer a party where he has your time and attention...and so will you. Now I keep it at 5-7 kids, plus parents. I did a Bowl America this year with 6 kindergarteners, 2 hours in and out, taught my kid how to bowl, got some exercise, kids had a blast and I had no stress.

I'm an undercover Obamamama.

although it is disheartening to read about all those stereotypical comments being tossed around about the nanny/race issue, it is equally nice to see that most people on this board are culturally open-minded and know better than to make racial assumptions like that. Let's hope the progressive mentalities of you modern DC women enlighten the rest of them. When I went to the Philippines with my parents (mom is Filipina, dad is white), everyone there thought my mom was my dad's maid!

I nearly died of laughter when I came into the room to change my DD's pull-up diaper and she had already changed it herself! She took the whole diaper box down (diapers everywhere) and the wipes, undressed herself, wiped herself, put a new pullup on and her pants over it. It was too cute : ) Now, if she can just go to the potty and do that or throw the diaper in the pail! Has this happened to anyone else?

I know what you mean about exhaustion. I also work FT, teach 2 cardio classes and have 3 kids. Before I joined the gym, I was low energy, even to cook, tired all the time and 35 pounds heavier. Kids were very young and took all my energy to exercise. The first year is the hardest. But then, like you, I knew I had to make a change. I could either keep finding excuses or just do it! The key is to make the change gradually. Start with energy foods one week....fruit, protein, peanutbutter. Then the next week you could start a moderate exercise routine....maybe a brisk walk twice a week or a workout video (very convenient!). It doesn't have to be a kick-butt workout, it could be a restorative yoga, tai chi video/class. You also have to find out what kind of physical activity motivates you the most, so you WANT to do it. Then as you slowly become more and more active, your energy will increase. Month after month, step it up a notch and before you know it your waist is smaller and you have tons of energy. Your kids will also pick up on this positive change and adapt healthy habits from you. Exercising WITH your kids is also great for bonding time.

Hey...I teach at Perfect Pointe . They also have Kinderdance there. But it's a bit far from Bethesda. I would craigslist it.